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Contractility Measurements on Isolated Papillary Muscles for the Investigation of Cardiac Inotropy in Mice
Published on: September 17, 2015
[Papillary muscle rupture as a manifestation of SLE in the puerperium]
Diogo Rijo1, Sara Simões Costa1, João Pedro Monteiro1
1Serviço de Cirurgia Cardiotorácica, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal.
Insights
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) can cause severe heart issues. A postpartum woman with SLE experienced sudden heart failure from papillary muscle rupture, leading to a catastrophic APS diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) are autoimmune disorders.
- Both conditions can lead to significant cardiovascular complications, particularly when co-occurring.
Observation:
- A young woman in the postpartum period presented with acute SLE.
- She rapidly developed heart failure due to papillary muscle rupture.
- The patient underwent emergency mitral valve replacement surgery.
Findings:
- The final diagnosis was Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).
- This was confirmed by antiphospholipid antibodies and multi-organ thromboembolic events with cardiac micro-thrombi.
- The patient had a successful surgical outcome with no major postoperative complications.
Implications:
- Catastrophic APS is a rare but life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate (around 50%).
- This case highlights the critical cardiovascular risks associated with SLE and APS, especially during the postpartum period.
- Prompt diagnosis and aggressive management, including surgical intervention, are crucial for improving outcomes in these complex cases.
Abstract:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) are two autoimmune diseases that may have serious cardiovascular manifestations, especially when associated. We report the clinical case of a young female, in the puerperium, with SLE in acute phase, who developed a sudden heart failure due to rupture of the papillary muscle. She underwent emergent cardiac surgery, with replacement of the mitral valve by a biological prosthesis. The postoperative course had no major intercurrences. Catastrophic SAF was concluded as a final diagnosis, due to the presence of anti-phospholipid antibody, to the attainment of multiple organs by thromboembolic phenomena, with histological documentation of micro-thrombi in cardiac tissue. This condition has a mortality rate of about 50%, despite treatment.
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